Missourians relying on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are in limbo as to when they'll receive this month's benefits.
On Friday afternoon, the Trump administration told states the (SNAP) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program would be fully funded through the end of November.
But later that day, the U.S. The Supreme Court blocked the ruling that directed full payments. Currently, states will only receive partial reimbursement, or 65% of the costs.
SNAP is the nation's largest anti-hunger assistance program. More than 655,000 Missourians rely on SNAP.
Before last week, SNAP had exhausted the necessary funds as of November 1 due to the federal government shutdown. Recipients across the country have been in a state of uncertainty as to how to feed their families and themselves.
In Southwest Missouri and Southeast Kansas, on average more than 12% of residents rely on food support every month.
Nicole Brown is the executive director of One Joplin, a community collaborative that helps facilitate communication among area agencies.
To help struggling communities, One Joplin has coordinated efforts with The Alliance of Southwest Missouri, the Carthage Area of United Way, and United Way of Southwest Missouri and Southeast Kansas.
According to Brown, the majority of area residents who rely on food assistance are employed and still struggle to make ends meet, debunking the stereotype that only unemployed people receive food benefits.
"It's crippling to our community, really. For individuals who are relying on that, it was unexpected for them. They didn't have much notice that it was going to run out, "said Brown.
For some Southwest Missouri residents, such as Melissa Sue-Ann Laney Waters, losing SNAP is detrimental to their survival.
"I'll probably die of malnutrition, to be honest, because I don't have another way to feed myself for the month. I don't have any other outlets," said Waters.
Waters lives in Seneca, Missouri, a small town south of Joplin.
She receives disability benefits as a wage replacement. The severity of her disability prevents her from keeping a stable job. She also became bedridden after a recent surgery, exacerbating her situation.
Asking for help is stressful for her, and it's proven to do more harm than good.
The government limits what people can buy with food stamps. While it benefits Waters to have it, it sometimes limits what she can purchase.
For her, SNAP is a necessity and not a luxury. She's not alone in the fear of becoming severely food insecure.
Holly Carter works for Crosslines Ministry in Joplin, a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) - approved food pantry, small thrift store, and non-perishable food distribution center. She utilizes food stamps, but has family support to get by. She understands that some people aren’t as lucky.
"But there are a lot of people that don't, they're on their own, and that's their lifeline for them. And I see the same thing. It's like fear and uncertainty. It's shaking everybody," added Carter.
The elderly population in the area has been affected the most, according to Carter - often they're on limited or reduced income.
Crosslines also has a pantry in Carthage. Executive Director Toni Smith said the ministry has been hit hard by the loss of food benefits and the ongoing USDA cuts. She quickly took action to mitigate the potential cuts to food assistance programs. Just this week, she created emergency food boxes for people on SNAP benefits.
Crosslines Carthage serves roughly 500 low-income clients of Eastern Jasper County daily.
Smith encourages residents to be generous and thoughtful during this unknown season.
"Even if each of you can buy one or two extra things and just help all of us stretch people's, you know, resources to make people feel comfortable that they're not going to go hungry," added Smith.
Crossline's Facebook page offers resources for food pantries, crisis centers and other local organizations in Carthage.
One Joplin has an up-to-date resource directory, which includes food pantry locations in Joplin and the surrounding area.
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